"Where are you headed ma'am?" Asked the driver.
"Take me to 63rd street, Berney circle". Answered Ella in her quavery voice.
"Okay ma'am" answered the friendly looking driver. Is everything okay with you ma'am?" The driver further enquired seeing her countenance from the rear view mirror.
"I will be fine," Ella answered.
As the car drove pass the busy city of Washington, Ella rested her head on the window glass, as she looked through it.
Tears dropped as she saw a beautiful couple at a quiet spot, in a 'lovey dovey' moment as they drove pass.
Immersed in her own thoughts, she pondered over many things.
"Why would Jakes cheat on me, with no other than my bestie! Did he ever love me?" What if I had been a fool all along? Can I ever love again?"
These questions were begging for answers, yet more questions popped up in her mind.
She reached out for her beautiful pink portable bag to get a piece of tissue to wipe her teary eyes.
Just then the car halted. "Here we are ma'am," the driver said.
Ella slowly came out from the car, brought out some notes from her bag,then gave them to the driver. " Thank you ma'am" the driver said, then he zoomed off.
Mrs Leah, all dressed in her pajamas, seated in the living room, with a glass of orange juice and a handful of cookie snacks watching a tv series. She's not expecting Ella, because she knew where she had gone.
But suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Mrs Leah's eyebrows were raised in surprise.
"Who's there?" asked Mrs Leah. But there was no response from the door.
She moved closer to the door in curiosity.
"Who's there?" She asked again, this time in a more daring tone.
"M-mum i-it's me" answered Ella in a stuttering voice.
Immediately Mrs Leah opened the door, Ella fell on her shoulder then held her tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.. her face had become so pale.
"Honey, what's the matter? Why are you crying?"
She led Ella to the sofa she was sitting on, then tried to calm her down while wondering what must have happened. "Was she beaten by Jakes?" oh!! Heaven knows i will kick his ass if he ever laid a finger on my daughter" Mrs Leah grew so angry in thought.
"c'mon now, it's okay Ella. Mrs Leah pats her on the back as Ella's head was rested on her shoulder.
After a while, she gently pulled Ella backwards to look into eyes. "Was it Jakes?" Mrs Leah enquired.
Ella nodded her head gently as tears trickled down her cheeks.
Mrs Leah became so furious with the expression on her face. " I will deal with Jakes for hurting you" she said out loud to the hearing of Ella.
She couldn't stand the pitiable state of her daughter, so she asked no further questions but led Ella to her room to go freshen up.
Ella managed to pull herself together, went to take a shower then seated at the left side of her white and pink decorated bed, in her plain pink pajamas
"Mum, I will be fine. Let's talk about this in the morning" said Ella as she faked a smile.
Mrs Leah stood up, gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead then made her way to the door.
"Good night honey" she said, then Ella responded with a partial smile.
Ella went under the duvet, with her hands at the back of her head, laying them down on the pillow.
She was gazing at the ceiling. The heartbreaking incident started replaying in her head. Thoughts and questions started running through her mind. "Should I have informed him before going? What could he be looking for? Don't I have all it takes to be his wife? I have always given him a portion from all I earn.Or maybe I don't deserve him?" She couldn't help but cry. Tears trickled to the sides of her ears.
She reached out for her phone to see numerous missed calls and messages from Jakes.
27missed calls, 17whatsapp messages.
She opened the WhatsApp messages but got disgusted by Jake's explanation and apology.
"I'm sorry babe, please pick up the call.
"Juli seduced me. It's you I love not her" Jakes wrote.
"Go to hell Jakes! You are such a scum, a cheat and a liar". I hate you Jakes! She yelled at her phone with her teary eyes.
"Tonight, I have made up my mind to stay out of love. I am just gonna focus on my life now.
Ella encouraged herself. She took her phone, blocked Jakes on all social platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp and his contact.
She searched out Jakes's contact, looked at it then pressed DELETE.
With the burden lightly lifted, she closed her eyes, then gradually drifted off to sleep..